starting fresh

I've been growing my hair for a year now, but have had some setbacks in the past.  My hair is fine and very soft afro textured, 4a/4b, it is neck length. I feel I have an issue retaining length, so that is definitely going to be my goal for 2011.  I have just met a wonderful stylist who is helping me maintain my mane.  About a little over a month ago I went ahead and did an at home perm using Ors.  It didn't completely straighten my hair, but it did relax my curls a lot.  I feel like when my hair was in its completely natural state that I would get lots of tangles, no matter how hard I tried not to, and It would inevitably break my hair.  As I was saying I found a stylist who has washed pressed and curled my hair excellently and gave me a much needed trim.  I notice that while my hair is straight I don't see as much breakage. This will somewhat be my regimen .  Go to the shop every two weeks for a wash and curl, in between salon visits, I will do one wash and deep condition at home, and wear protected styles and avoid heat.